Fastening device



(No Model.)

* W. B. GOULTER.

FASTENING DEVICE.

Patented May 25, 1886,

7 ail wanton N. PETERS. Plmwuxmmp wahinnm. 11 C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM B. OOULIER, OF BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT.

FASTENING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 342,332, dated May 25, 1886.

A pplication filed January 2, 1886. Serial No. 187,327. (No model.)

T 0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. OoULTER, residing at Bristol, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fastening Devices; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in fastening devices, the object being to produce a device combining simplicity and cheapness of construction, easily operated, and durable and efficient in use.

XVith these ends in view my invention consists in a fastening device provided with two spring-arms having free normally separated ends, and adapted to be sprung toward each other for locking and unlocking the device, and a hook or eye, within the edges of which the arms are hooked or caught against vertical and lateral disengagement.

My invention further consists in a fastening device having certain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed outin the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view in elevation in its unlocked adjustment of one form of my improved fastening device. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device in its locked adjustment; and Figs. 3and4 are views of modified forms which my improvement may assume.

Referring first to the device shown by Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, its springarms A A have free ends 13 B, bent outwardly, extending in opposite directions and normally separated, the said arms being formed from a single piece of wire provided midway of its length with a coil, C, as shown. The carrier or plate of the said device is provided with leaves or points E E E, for securing it to the body F of the envelope, and with a strap, G, which passes through the coil 0 aforesaid and pivotally secures the arms A A to the carrier or plate, and hence to the body of the envelope. The loop or eye H of the said device is made integral with a plate, I, provided with leaves orpoints J J J, for securing it to the flap K of the envelope, and stands above the said plate and off from the flap.

To look the device,the respective arms A A are sprung toward each other and their bent loop or eye, from which the said ends are retracted and disengaged for unlocking the device, by springing the arms toward each other, as before,and then lifting them away from the loop or eye.

The device shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings is like that shown in the preceding figures,, except that its eye L is set into the flap of the envelope and provided with points M M M M, for securing it in place. In this device, which is operated like the device of the preceding figures, the outwardly-bent ends of the arms are concealed and protected under the flap when the device is locked.

The device shown by Fig. 40f the drawings has its eye N set into the body of the envelope and arms 0 0 extending in opposite directions from a flexible metallic strap, P, formed integral with aplate, Q, provided with leaves or points R R It, for securing it to the flap of the envelope, the strap 1? being provided with a finger, S, as shown. To look this form of my improvement, the flap is lifted and the arms 0 O sprung together and caught under the eye,from which they are withdrawn in unlocking the device, by lifting them by means of the finger S of the strap.

In the three forms of my device herein shown, and preferably in every form and application of my improvement, the loop or eye should be constructed and arranged to allow sufficient play in the arms whenthe device is locked to permit the envelope or other package to be filled to its utmost capacity without impairing the value of the fastening. This also enables the device to be accommodated without displacement of the parts, whether occurring before or after the device is locked, and permitting the device to be readily unlocked in case the package is thrown out of shape after being locked.

It is apparent that my improved device is not confined in use to envelopes, but that it may be applied to a great variety of articles and packages requiring afastening device.

I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the particular construction 1 shown and described, but hold myseltl at liberty to make such changes and alterations as ends caught under the adjacent sides of the v fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a fastening device, two spring-arms having free ends, in combination with a loop or eye within the edges of which the arms are hooked or caught against vertical and lateral disengagement, substantially as set forth.

2. In a fastening device, two verticallymovable spring arms having free ends, in combination with a loop or eye within the edges of which the arms are hooked or caught against vertical and lateral disengagement, substantially as set forth.

\VILLIAM B. COULTER.

Witnesses:

LEWIS PEAsE, N. J. COULTER. 

